Illuminating unit



March 19, 1929. H, HQQLNAGE'L 1,706,161

mwmrumms UNIT v Filed Nov. 13, 1926 Irwventor; Herbert P Ho! Ina e!,

H i s Atto Pn ey 1706161 OR IN 128G597 -.-ueuran 'srares Parser orrrcs.

Patented him. 19, 1929 1,7ee16i HERBERT P. HOLIJI AG ELEF SWAJEPSCOTT, SETTB, .ASBIGNOB TO GENERAL ELECTRIC (harem, A CORPORATION 01? NEW YQBK.

ILLUMINATDTG UNIT.

' Application filed November 1a, 1926. 56118.1 110. 149,1.

My invention. relates to an illuminating unit of a type specially adapted for dental work, surgical work, radio-therapeutic work and the like which type of device is sometimes called an applicator.

It is an object of my invention to construct the d vice so that the rays of light from a suitable source, such as an incandescent elec-'- tric lamp, (which lamp forms part of the instrument), pass through a light-transmitting element, such as a long quartz rod, from one end of which element the light is emitted. In such a device the internal reflection is uti lined. In order to prevent any loss of light through the sides of the element before it reaches the end, I provide a coat of any suitable light-reflecting material such as the metal silicon, silver, magnalium or other suitable material having a high index of rcfiection. Such a coat prevents any light being. scattered outside of the element through the walls thereof whereby a maximum amount of illumination may be had at the point desired.

It is also an object of my invention to provide a casing for the device within which the rod and an electric lamp serving as a light source are contained. It is also an object to provide a socket for the lamp, a cavity hein provided within the rod element itself anwithin which the lamp is located. Applicators of the type contemplated may of course be made in differentforms. In most instances the transparentelcment has one or more curves along which curves the beam of lightdms to be transmitted. This beam of light, in addition to the visihle rays, contains both ultraviolet and infra red rays, all of which are internally reflected at the proper angles depending upon the index of retraction of the transmitting material for the particular rays. If an applicator were made diations are transmitted through the wallsof the ap licator and lost and in some cases are harm a1 and to prevent this by the application of a metal coat is an object of this intion could he always assured within the quartz rod, the coating of the rod on the outside with a reflecting material might not be necessary, but inasmuch as this is not the case forthe reasons pointed out above, applicant has found it advantageous to coat the quartz v ith one of the metals indicated. Ordinarily, silver is to he preferred as a coat for the transparent element but if the applicator is to be used for the transmission of ultraviolet light a. magnalium or silicon coating would be prefer-red. However any coat of metal having a high reflectivity in the ultraviolet region or the spectrum may be used instead of magnalium or silicon. Magnalimn is an alloy of magnesium and aluminum, the composition of which alloy is. about 69% aluminum and l 31% of magnesium.

The details of the invention will he more clearly understood from the following specification, claims and drawings: Fig. 1 shows the forward portion of the transparent rod and also shows in section the reflecting coat of material together with its protective backing and also the outer case.

Fig. 2 shows the stock end of the device enlarged and in section.

Fig. 3 shows a modified form of the device.

Referring more in detail to Fig. 1, it will be seen that the transparent element 2, which may be of quartz or other suitable material is formed with an angle and terminates in a rounded forward end 3 from which end the beam of light or radiation is emitted. The rod is provided with a metal coating of chemically deposited silver, for example; the first coat is reenforced, for example, by an electro lytically deposited layer 5 of silver which layer in turn is reenforced,'fo r example by a layer of copper 6. The outer casing 7 of the device may be of any suitable material such,

as rubber bakeliteor the like.

Referring to Fig. 2, it will be seen that the quartz element 2 is formed with a cavity along the length of the rod which beam will 2 L I Y 1506,1551 V A i "What I cleimas new and desire to secure within 'WllICh is located the electric lamp 9. by Letters Patent of the United States, is,-- This element 2 in Fig. 2 is acontmuction of 1- In combination with a source of raj the element 2, Fig. 1. Lamp 9 is provided radiation ,a quartz rod for conveying the. g

with the usual terminal construction which rays from the source, said rod being covered is adapted to fit in the ordinary type of with a coat of a metallic ray reflecting masocket. terial, the forward end of said rod being 1111- It will be seen therefore that with a device covered whereby the radiation may be emitof the foregoing construction, when a curted therefrom and the opposite end of the rent is flowing in the filament 12 of the rodformingacavity for receiving the source lamp a beam of light will be transmitted of radiation.

2. In combination with a source of rays, :1

be reflected and refracted around the curve quartz rod through which the rays may and out of the terminal 3 of the device.

In the form of construction shown in Fig. ends with a material having high reflecting 3 the quartz element 13 does not extend as properties with respect to therays, one end far along the side of the lamp 14 as is the of the rod constructed-to emit the rays from case in the construction shown in Fi 2. As, the device and the other end formed "with tained herein. t

without departim from the spirit of the in m shown in this figure the metallic coating 15 a cavity to'receive the source of the rays. as well as the outercasing 16 are out off just beyond the flaring portiomof the dea quartz rod through which the rays may vice just opposite the base of cavity 17,. Be travel, said rod being covered except at its 'yond the casing and beyond the metallic coat ends with a material having high reflectin" the device is provided with a set of threads properties with respect to the rays, one end 18 alon the terminal end of the quartz 13. of the rod constructed to emit the rays These threads are adapted to engage with therefrom and the other end formed with a corresponding threads on the inside of the Y cavity to receive the rays from said source lamp socket 19 within which socket the lamp and 2. ca constructed to fit over the sa d 20 is held. The 1amp'20 is also coated with cavity an serving as a support for the source a metallic reflecting surface 21 similar to arrays. that provided along the length of the rod 13. An ill1.1minating device comprising a This reflecting coat serves to increase the source of light in the form of an electric amount of light or other radiationbytranslamp and a quartz element located in opermitting along the rod 13 the radiation which ative relation to the said source whcreby'a would otherwise be lost. beam of light may be transmitted through It will be seen therefore, that I provide on said element to a distant point from the improved applicator which is more ei'n'cient 111ml; source, said element. being provided than devices of this sort heretofore providwith. a. coat of metallic material completely ed and which is free from any danger of ronclo ing th b am to within ducing any harmful efi'ects as a result oi: the the end of the element, said coat serving escape of the light along the side of the in as a reflector for said beam, the other end of strument. g y the element being formed with a cavity for Itv will be understood that by light is mean receiving the light source and a cap for the radiation in its broadest sense. It will be cavity constructed to be fitted thereover understood that while I have described my a d servinrr as a support for the light source, invention in connection with certain specific said lamp being provided with a band of reforms of embodiment I do not wish to he fleeting material around its sides for increaslimitedtothese particular forms inasmuch in the volume of light transmitted to view of the disclosure, variations will readilythe rod. suggest themselves to those versed 1n the art.

In witness whereof l have hereunto set v hand this second day of November,

HERBERT P. HOLLNAGEL.

vention or from the scopeof theclairns eonproximity of ,travel, said rod being covered except at its 3. In combination with a source of rays, 

